Device for scanning stationary programming cards

ABSTRACT

A scanning device for a program card having a number of ridgeshaped control paths with notches at selected positions. Scanning levers arranged on endless runners sense the notches to cause electrical contacts to be made.

United States Patent Otto Ramstetter Prinzeneiche 22, 813 Starnberg, Germany 578,434

Sept. 8, 1966 Feb. 23, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented DEVICE FOR SCANNING STATIONARY Field ofSearch 235/6l.l l, 6l.ll3;200/46 Primary ExaminerDaryl W. Cook Attorney-None and Nolte ABSTRACT: A scanning device for a program card having a number of ridge-shaped control paths with notches at selected positions. Scanning levers arranged on endless runners sense the notches to cause electrical contacts to be made.

| j -l8 6 2m l5 'EmEm mm n 31566082 "m. Flc-lz m INVENTOR OTTO RAMSTETTER flat/1 ATTORNEYS DEVKGE FOR SCANNING STATIONARY PROGRAMMING CARDS The present invention relates to a device for scanning of a plurdity of programming cards which are held stationary and which are provided with guide edges.

It is known to use programming devices for carrying out preprogrammed working steps or operations, wherein perforated tapes, forms or programming cards are introduced to a scanning device, whereby control signals are initiated. The programming carriers are perforated tape, or plates made of metal or plastic, and are provided with a plurality of guide edges serving as control paths. These guide edges are perforated at various places for initiating a corresponding pulse. The movement these programming carriers is done continuously or intermittently in the known devices.

Scanning devices are known, wherein particularly perforated cards are processed, whereby the perforated cards are retained stationary in the device and are scanned by contact springs which correspond to the perforations in these cards. The contact springs are connected with each other in series, and are scanned electrically in defined intervals, by means of an isolated scanning device. This type of perforated card scanning is preferably used in accounting machines and is not suitable for controlling programs, for instance, in tooling machines, textile machines, washing machines, or the like. Furthermore, the mechanical resistance of the perforated cards is completely insufficient for repeating the programming process frequently.

The mechanical strain which is exerted on the cards is sufficiently absorbed when these cards are made from wear resistant plastic material, whereby they are provided with riblike edges which serve as control paths. For achieving a capacity of resistance, the cards must be so dimensioned that their weight avoids an acceleration during the processing operation. This is particularly true, if the program which is controlled by the card is to be repeated with no interruptions. Thereby, the card should be returned to its starting position at a relatively short time.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings by providing a scanning device, wherein robust programming cards, having guide edges for the control paths, are repetitiously scanned in an uninterrupted series.

This object will be achieved in that a usual number of these cards is held in a stationary position within the device, and wherein a runner means is provided which moves in the longitudinal direction of the control paths. A scanning lever is movably mounted on the runner means. Each control path is provided with a scanning lever and on the opposite side of the lever which is opposite to the control paths, there are provided contact or switching bars, respectively. A flexible electrically conducting wire, for instance, a metal wire is provided between each scanning lever and the associated contact bars which are arranged parallel to the contact bars. This metal wire is pressed against the contact bar which is associated with a scanning lever for tripping on a control circuit.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the specific embodiments of the invention, together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows three different views of a programming card which is provided with land or bridge-shaped control paths;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention in side view, whereby a yieldingly arranged strip extends parallel to the contact rail;

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment, in which a tripping rail is provided which cooperates with tripping contacts;

F IG. 4 shows a plan view of the arrangement of the tripping rails according to Fit 3;

FIG. 5 shows in a further embodiment a scanning lever with two contact rails which are insulated from one another; and

HG. 6 shows a sectional view of a scanning lever.

The invention will now be described with respect to the FIGS. and in particular to FIG. 1 which illustrates a programming card 1 which is provided with a number of ridgeshaped control paths 2. For contact purposes, control paths 2 may be provided with releases 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein programming card 1 is retained or kept in position on supports 4. Scanning levers 5 are arranged on runners 6, whereby the runners are guided on their outer ends by means of cables 7. In the drawing, only one of these cables is illustrated. Cable 7 is guided by means of guide rollers 8 and 9, whereby one portion of the cable runs parallel between programming card 1 and the rigidly arranged contact rails 10. Each contact rail or bar 10 is provided with an electrically conductive flexible wire or strip 11, the latter being retained flexibly by means of springs 12 arranged beyond guide rollers 8 and 9.

Scanning levers 5 are provided with arms 13 which are designed in form of leaf springs which press flexible stripll against contact rails 10 whenever scanning lever 5 establishes contact with a protruding portion of a'control path 2, thereby establishing the electric connection between these aforementioned parts. The current circuit 14 is tripped in dependency on the form of said control paths 2.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is also provided with cables 7 as described in FIG. 2 which move the runners 6 along programming card 1, so that the tripping rails 16, which extend parallel to control paths 2, are moved in this case by somewhat differently designed or shaped scanning levers 15 in dependency on the form of control paths 2. When moved, the tripping rail or bar 16 actuates or operates two contact sets 17 and 18 which effect the tripping of the control circuit.

With respect to FIG. 4, it can be seen that two tripping rails 16 are shown in plane and sectional view. Two scanning levers 15 are arranged on runner 6, and move the tripping rails 16 in dependency on the contact path 2 on programming card 1. Tripping rails 16 are carried on rocking levers 19 and'20, which are pivotally mounted around a shaft 21, the latter extending parallel to tripping rails 16, which operate or actuate contacts 17, 18. FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment wherein a scanning lever 22, the latter arranged on runner 6, forms an electrical bridge 23 connecting, according to the design of control paths 2, contact rails 24 and 25. Contact rails 24 and 25 are retained in an insulating portion 26.

In the following, the specific embodiments, as explained with reference to the drawings, will be now explained in more detail. In one embodiment, the contact is established only at certain points of control paths 2, small insulating projections or protrusions may be provided on contact bar 10 between individual contact ranges, in order to prevent undesired contacts, for example, as a result of vibrations or shocks. If this is the case, the flexibly disposed wire, which extends or runs parallel to contact bars 10, can only be brought into contact with the contact bar by means of scanning lever 5 between these insulating points. If strip or wire 11 oscillates, it willco'ntact only the above mentioned protrusions, but not the contact bar itself.

As already indicated above, with reference to FIG. 5, instead of using such a strip or wire which cooperates with the contact bars, it is also possible to provide each scanning lever 22 with two contact rails 24 and 25, which are electrically insulated against each other, and are arranged side by side. In such a case, the scanning levers are designed in form of an electric bridge 23. These scanning levers are pressed -according to their design by control paths 2 intermittently against the contact bars, and connect the same electrically, thereby closing the control circuit.

It is also possible to provide each scanning lever with a plurality of tripping rails 16 (see FIG. 4) which extend parallel to their respective control paths 2. These tripping rails are movable in this parallel position in the direction toward 5 the control paths. Tripping rails 16 are moved by the scanning lever-in dependency on the control path. These tripping rails are each provided with at least one tripping contact which operates or actuates a control circuit in dependency on the movement of said tripping rails, although such an arrangement or embodiment of the invention is somewhat connected with a greater expenditure in terms of design as compared to previously mentioned embodiments, it does permit the tripping or application of considerably higher control currents. These tripping rails can be carried on levers which are pivotally mounted around shafts which run parallel to the tripping rails. in this way, the parallelism of the tripping rails with respect to the control paths is warranted. However, at the same time, the scanning lever is permitted to perform only a very light, power-saving movement. These tripping rails may, of course, also be guided or carried in anyother way which would be mechanically equivalent.

The runner which carries the scanning levers may preferably be arranged on two tow or cable lines which are arranged on its two ends, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. These two cables run parallel to each other, with their guide rollers 8 and 9, having equal shafts, and being .rigidly connected with each other in order to move the runner in a constant position along programming card 1. This position being preferably at a right angle to the direction of the control paths. The movement of the runner which carries the scanning levers -through the intermediate space between the programming card and the contact or tripping rails can be achieved also by means of some other mechanical device, for example, by means ofa chain drive, or the like.

In order to achieve a practically uninterrupted repetition of a programming action, two or more runners, all carrying scanning levers, may be arranged on the cable, or the like, whereby the distance of said runners from one another is preferably in accordance with the length of the control paths. in an arrangement of such a device according to the invention, the second runner will mesh or engage with the programming card at that moment at which a runner has completed the scanning of the program, and said second runner will repeat the scanning action immediately. This action may be repeated indefinitely often.

By arranging these runners in such a way that the distance between the runners is larger than the length of the scanning path, a pause can be effected between the individual program scannings. On the other hand, by arranging the runners with smaller distances between each other, one can achieve, if desired, an overlapping of said program scanning.

In order to ensure that the program beginning and the program ending will not correspond in repeated actions, if any changes in regard to the length of the programming card or of the distance between the runners occur, the driving system with its guide rollers may be designed in such a way that it can be shifted into both directions, namely, by the value of the greatest possible difference between both runners. This sliding or shifting mechanism may be influenced -by the arrival of the runner on or at the first contact point of the control paths, so that a faultless or perfect coordination of the control paths is achieved in accordance with the program beginning and program ending.

The scanning levers which are arranged on the runner can be designed in form of one-arm levers, whereby these levers are arranged on a common swivel axis.

In the above described embodiments, the free ends of these levers are provided with scanning protrusions which slide along the control paths and which pivot the levers accordingly, so that the levers actuate or operate the contact or tripping rails with accordingly designed protrusions mounted on the opposite side thereof. The common axis or shaft of the levers extends preferably at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the control paths. The individual levers may consist either of an insulating material, as indicated at 27, 28 in FIG. 6 or they may be arranged on their common rocking shaft being insulated from one another. Moreover, said levers may cooperate with springs which keep the levers engaged or meshed with s aid control paths.

As an additional feature, sa1d levers may be provided with a spring element (29 in FIG. 6) for operating the tripping or contact rails in order to compensate for unavoidable distance tolerances between the contact or tripping rails and the control paths. Also the scanning lever itself could be made from a flexible material. They could also be designed with two arms, whereby one arm carries the scanning protrusion, whereas the other or second arm operates the contact or tripping rail.

Instead of pivotally scanning levers, one may also provide scanning slides which are slideable in direction of or towards the control paths. These slides may be designed in form of pins which are carried in bores arranged on the runner. These slides could'also be designed in form of small plates or lamellas which are slideable on the body of the runner.

The embodiments of the invention particularly described are presented merely as examples of how the invention may be applied. Other embodiments, forms and modifications of the invention, coming within the proper scope of the appended claims, will of course readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A device for scanning stationary program cards, comprising a program card disposed in a stationary manner in the device having a plurality of ridgelike control paths, a plurality of runner means being movably arranged moving in a longitudinal direction of said control paths, said runner means being guided on an endless cable, said cable being mounted on two oppositely arranged guide rollers, a plurality of scanning means pivotally arranged on each of said runner means, each of said plurality of scanning being associated with one of said control paths, a plurality of contact means disposed opposite to the location of said scanning means and parallel to said control paths, said guide rollers rotating in one direction so that said scanning means move parallel to and between said programming cards and said contact means, and circuit opening and closing means associated witheach said contact means and responsive to movement of .a respective said scanning means.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of runner means are arranged on said cable, each of said runner means carrying one of said scanning means, said scanning means being mounted at a distance from each other which corresponds to the distance of said control paths.

3. A device for scanning stationary program cards, comprising a program card disposed in a stationary manner in the device having a plurality of ridgelike control paths, a plurality of runner means being movably arranged moving in longitudinal direction of said control paths, said runner means being guided on an endless cable, said cable being mounted on two oppositely arranged guide rollers, a plurality of scanning means pivotally arranged on each of said runner means, each of said plurality of scanning means being associated with one of said control paths, a plurality of contact means disposed opposite to the location of said control paths, said guide rollers rotating in one direction so that said scanning means move parallel to and between said programming cards and said contact means, and circuit opening and closing means comprising a flexible wire means disposed between each of said scanning means and each of said contact means, said wire means being movable toward said contact means by said scanning means for tripping a control circuit. 

1. A device for scanning stationary program cards, comprising a program card disposed in a stationary manner in the device having a plurality of ridgelike control paths, a plurality of runner means being movably arranged moving in a longitudinal direction of said control paths, said runner means being guided on an endless cable, said cable being mounted on two oppositely arranged guide rollers, a plurality of scanning means pivotally arranged on each of said runner means, each of said plurality of scanning being associated with one of said control paths, a plurality of contact means disposed opposite to the location of said scanning means and parallel to said control paths, said guide rollers rotating in one direction so that said scanning means move parallel to and between said programming cards and said contact means, and circuit opening and closing means associated with each said contact means and responsive to movement of a respective said scanning means.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of runner means are arranged on said cable, each of said runner means carrying one of said scanning means, said scanning means being mounted at a distance from each other which corresponds to the distance of said control paths.
 3. A device for scanning stationary program cards, comprising a program card disposed in a stationary manner in the device having a plurality of ridgelike control paths, a plurality of runner means being movably arranged moving in longitudinal direction of said control paths, said runner means being guided on an endlesS cable, said cable being mounted on two oppositely arranged guide rollers, a plurality of scanning means pivotally arranged on each of said runner means, each of said plurality of scanning means being associated with one of said control paths, a plurality of contact means disposed opposite to the location of said control paths, said guide rollers rotating in one direction so that said scanning means move parallel to and between said programming cards and said contact means, and circuit opening and closing means comprising a flexible wire means disposed between each of said scanning means and each of said contact means, said wire means being movable toward said contact means by said scanning means for tripping a control circuit. 